Spanish "dinner-theater" at its best at Cebu’s Moevenpick Hotel

The Cebu entertainment and culinary scene has “changed,” to say the least, since the Ibiza party scene was introduced by Moevenpick Hotel and Resort, complete with enthralling shows that showcase local singing and fire-dancing talents who exclusively perform at the Ibiza Beach Club.

The Moevenpick’s Ibiza concept focuses on highlighting performance—and this is where the conceptualizers of this kind of entertainment, Manny Osmeña and Paco Beltran, prove that Cebu entertainers are world-class. Beltran himself was brought in from Ibiza, Spain. Ibiza is a three-island paradise which treats the whole day as just one big great party. The challenge for Beltran was to enhance the amazement within the already amazing scenery that Moevenpick created in Mactan, Cebu, Philippines.

To create his perfect party atmosphere, Beltran created a wish list. First, he asked for the most alluring lighting system, one that is colorful but is not glaring to the eyes. Then he put up a powerful sound system, one that is easy to the ears yet allows customers to talk while the music is playing loud enough to be heard and enjoyed by everyone else.

Then he had designers come up with head-turning costumes, as colorful and beautiful like a fashion show right before one's eyes. In other words, together, Osmeña and Beltran created an all-out entertainment package.

It was not surprising that Moevenpick’s Ibiza has received invitations to perform from other international hotels. It has become a farm of talents, a place where talent and skill are honed and nurtured. Beltran says they are now looking for more performers with great potential and whom they can train to bring their shows to other hotels and resorts outside of the country.

As of this writing, the shows have become a mixture of dinner and theater at the Ibiza Beach Club. Performers dance to popular music ranging from Latin, Brazilian, Broadway, pop, and retro, while appreciative guests dine on Brazilian barbecues or churrasco and other culinary delights.